Canada launches first air strikes against Islamic State targets

Over the weekend, Canadian fighter jets launched the country’s first airstrikes against Islamic State group targets since joining the U.S.-led campaign to combat the extremist group in Iraq, Canada’s defense minister said.

In a statement released Sunday, Canada’s defense minister, Rob Nicholson said two CF-18 fighter planes “attacked [ISIS] targets with GBU12 500 lb. laser guided bombs in the vicinity of Fallujah, Iraq.”

The nearly four-hour mission included air-to-air refueling of the fighter planes from CF-150 Polaris aircraft, Nicholson added.

The statement does not provide more details about the targets attacked. Canada’s Department of National Defense is expected to provide more information on the attacks Nov. 4.

Earlier this month, the Canadian parliament voted to back a plan that allowed air strikes for up to six months, the BBC reported. Canadian officials have maintained that ground troops will not be deployed to Iraq.

Nicholson said Canada’s initial air strikes demonstrated the country’s “firm resolve to tackle the threat of terrorism and to stand with our allies against [ISIS’s] atrocities against innocent, women, children and men.”

Earlier in October, a man who recently converted to Islam drove his car into two Canadian soldiers, killing one. Canadian police has linked the attack to “terrorist ideology,” the Guardian reported.